• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.229-234
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• 2017

Rib fractures are a common injury resulting from blunt chest trauma. The most important complications associated with rib fractures include death, pneumonia, and the need for mechanical ventilation. The development of new osteosynthesis materials has stimulated increased interest in the surgical treatment of rib fractures. Surgical stabilisation, however, is not needed for every patient with rib fractures or for every patient with flail chest. This paper presents an easy-to-use evidence-based algorithm, developed by the authors, for the treatment of patients with flail chest and isolated rib fractures.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.140-144
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• 2001

Severe chronic coughing infrequently causes rib fractures and these fractures belong to Stress fracture and these rib fractures are given the term of "cough fractur". Cough fracture usually occurs in one rib and in the middle of the rib between the costochondral junction and the costal angle. The case is a report about a young woman with multiple rib fractures which were caused by severe coughing. The Chest PA and Rib series test were normal but Rib fractures were founded by Bone scan test. Treatment was Herb-medication, rest and restriction of work and symptoms were reduced.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.246-250
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• 2012

Background: Although it is rare for the fracture itself to become a life threatening injury in patients suffering from rib fracture, the lives of these patients are occasionally threatened by other associated injuries. Especially, early discovery of patients with rib fracture and intra-abdominal organ injury is extremely important to the prognosis. This study analyzed the link between rib fracture and intra-abdominal injury to achieve improved treatment. Materials and Methods: Among trauma patients that had visited the hospital emergency room from January 2007 to December 2009, a retrospective study was conducted on 453 patients suffering from rib fracture due to blunt trauma. Rib fracture was classified according to location (left, right, and bilateral), and according to level (upper rib fracture [1-2nd rib], middle rib fracture [3-8th rib], and lower rib fracture [9-12th rib]). The researched data was statistically compared and analyzed to investigate the correlation between the location, level, and number of rib fracture and intra-abdominal organ injury. Results: Motor vehicle injury was found to be the most common mechanism of injury with 208 cases (46%). Associated injuries accompanied with rib fracture were generated in 276 cases (61%). Intra-abdominal organ injury was discovered in 97 cases (21%). Liver injury was the most common intra-abdominal injury associated with rib fracture with 39 cases (40%), followed by spleen injury, with 23 cases (23%). Intra-abdominal injury according to level of rib fracture was presented as upper rib fracture in 11 cases (11%), middle rib fracture in 31 cases (32%), and lower rib fracture in 55 cases (57%), thus verifying that intra-abdominal injuries were commonly accompanied in lower rib fractures (p=0.03). In particular, significant increase of intra-abdominal injury was presented in fractures below the 8th rib (p=0.03). The number of intra-abdominal injuries requiring emergency operations was significantly higher in patients with more than 6 rib fractures (p=0.04). Conclusion: Intra-abdominal organ injury is more common in patients with lower rib fracture, especially fractures below the 8th rib. Intra-abdominal organ injuries generated in multiple rib fracture patients with more than 6 fractures significantly higher severity. These cases must be thoroughly inspected and carefully observed as there is possibility of emergency operation.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.179-185
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• 2017

Purpose: Rib fracture is the most common complication of blunt thoracic trauma. We investigated the effect of rib fracture on pulmonary function in the conservatively treated patients. Methods: From January 2000 to February 2017, we reviewed the records of 72 patients with rib fracture and pulmonary function tests were performed. According to the number of rib fractures, patients were classified into two groups: less than six fractured ribs (group A) and more than six fractured ribs (group B). The groups were compared concerning demographics, underlying diseases, associated thoracic injuries, surgery, mechanical ventilator times, days spent in the intensive care unit and pulmonary function test. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in the demographic data between the two groups. Mean hospitalization was 13.5 days in group A and 27.0 days in group B (p<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in the pulmonary function test. Conclusions: We conclude that pulmonary function is restored by conservative treatment in patients with rib fractures even if the number of rib fractures increases. In patients with multiple rib fractures, studies comparing open rib fixation and conservative treatment of long term pulmonary function are required.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.59-64
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• 2021

Background: Diaphragmatic injuries following blunt or penetrating thoraco-abdominal trauma are rare, but can be life-threatening. Rib fractures are the most common associated injury in patients with a traumatic diaphragmatic injury (TDI). We hypothesized that the pattern of rib fracture injuries could dictate the likelihood of acute TDIs. Methods: A retrospective study was carried out between April 2014 and October 2018 to analyze patients with TDIs and rib fractures at a major trauma center in London, United Kingdom. Results: Over the study period, 1,560 patients had rib fractures, of whom 14 had associated diaphragmatic injuries. Left-sided diaphragmatic injuries were found in 8 patients (57%). A significant proportion of the rib fractures were located posterolaterally (44.9%). The highest frequency of fractures was found in ribs 5-10, which accounted for 74% of all the fractures. Ten patients underwent surgery, of whom 7 were diagnosed with a diaphragmatic injury intraoperatively after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery assessment of the pleural cavity. Two patients died due to severe injuries of other organs and the remaining 2 patients were managed conservatively. Conclusion: Our series of patients demonstrates a relationship between significant rib fractures and diaphragmatic injuries in trauma patients, and the diagnostic difficulties in identifying the condition. We found that the location of the rib fractures and the pattern of injury in patients with TDIs were much lower and posterolateral in the chest wall without a preference for laterality. We suggest using a thoracoscope in patients undergoing chest wall surgery post-trauma to aid in diagnosing this condition.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.268-276
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• 2022

Purpose: Rib fractures are common injuries that can lead to morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data on all patients with rib fractures admitted to a single trauma center between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2018 were reviewed. Results: A total of 1,671 admissions for rib fracture were examined. Patients' median age was 57 years, the median Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 14, and the median number of fractured ribs was three. The in-hospital mortality rate was 4%. Age, the number of rib fractures, and Charlson Comorbidity Index scores were poor predictors of mortality, while the ISS was a slightly better predictor, with area under the receiver operating characteristic curve values of 0.60, 0.55, 0.58, and 0.74, respectively. Multivariate regression showed that age, ISS, and Charlson Comorbidity Index score, but not the number of rib fractures, were associated with significantly elevated adjusted odds ratios for mortality (1.03, 1.14, and 1.28, respectively). Conclusions: Age, ISS, and comorbidities were independently associated with the risk of mortality; however, they were not accurate predictors of death. The factors associated with rib fracture mortality are complex and cannot be explained by a single variable. Interventions to improve outcomes must be multifaceted.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.130-134
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• 2013

Background: Rib fractures are the most common type of thoracic trauma and cause other complications. We explored the risk factors for pneumonia in patients with multiple rib fractures. Materials and Methods: Four hundred and eighteen patients who visited our hospital with multiple rib fractures between January 2002 and December 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. Chest X-rays and chest computed tomography were used to identify injury severity. Patients with only a single rib fracture or who were transferred to another hospital within 2 days were excluded. Results: There were 327 male patients (78%), and the median age was 53 years. The etiologies of the patients' trauma included traffic accidents in 164 cases (39%), falls in 78 cases (19%), slipping and falling in 90 (22%), pedestrian accidents in 30 (7%), industrial accidents in 41 (10%), and assault in 15 (4%). The median number of rib fractures was 4.8. Pulmonary complications including flail chest (2.3%), lung contusion (22%), hemothorax (62%), pneumothorax (31%), and hemopneumothorax (20%) occurred. Chest tubes were inserted into the thoracic cavity in 216 cases (52%), and the median duration of chest tube insertion was 10.26 days. The Injury Severity Score (ISS) and rib score had a median of 15.27 and 6.9, respectively. Pneumonia occurred in 18 cases (4.3%). Of the total cases, 33% of the cases were managed in the intensive care unit (ICU), and the median duration of stay in the ICU was 7.74 days. Antibiotics were administered in 399 patients (95%) for a median of 10.53 days. Antibiotics were used for more than 6 days in 284 patients (68%). The factors affecting pneumonia in patients with multiple rib fractures in multivariate analysis included age (p=0.004), ISS (p<0.001), and rib score (p=0.038). The use of antibiotics was not associated with the occurrence of pneumonia (p=0.28). In-hospital mortality was 5.3% (n=22). Conclusion: The factors affecting risk of pneumonia in patients with multiple rib fractures included age (p=0.004), ISS (p<0.001), and rib score (p=0.038). Elderly patients with multiple traumas have a high risk of pneumonia and should be treated accordingly.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.120-125
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• 2023

Background: Multiple rib fractures are common in blunt chest trauma. Until recently, most surgical rib fixations for multiple rib fractures were performed via open thoracotomy. However, due to the invasive nature of tissue dissection and the resulting large wound, an alternative endoscopic approach has emerged that minimizes the postoperative complications caused by the manipulation of injured tissue and lung during an open thoracotomy. Methods: Our study concentrated on patients with multiple rib fractures who underwent surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) between June 2018 and May 2020. We found 27 patients who underwent SSRF using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. The study design was a retrospective review of the patients' charts and surgical records. Results: No intraoperative events or procedure-related deaths occurred. Implant-related irritation occurred in 4 patients, and 1 death resulted from concomitant trauma. The average hospital stay was 30.2±20.1 days, and ventilators were used for 12 of the 22 patients admitted to the intensive care unit. None of the patients experienced major pulmonary complications such as pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome. Conclusion: Minimally invasive rib stabilization surgery with the assistance of a thoracoscope is expected to become more widely used in patients with multiple rib fractures. This method will also assist patients in a quick recovery.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.64-66
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• 1993

We experienced 2 cases of surgical immobilization with Judet`s strut for flail chest with multiple rib fractures. The patients were undertaken explorative thoracotomy for unevacuated hematoma and chest wall fixation for paradoxically moving segments of ribs after initial trials of internal fixation, i.e. mechanical ventilation with endotracheal intubation. Immediately after operation, the patient`s general condition and respiratory status were improved remarkably. Mechanical ventilation and endotracheal intubtion were removed on postoperative second day without any events.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.173-180
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• 2022

Purpose: The use of surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) has steadily increased over the past decade. Recent literature suggests that a larger population may benefit from SSRF, and that the geriatric population-as the highest-risk population-may receive the greatest improvement from these interventions. We sought to determine the overall utilization of SSRF in the United States. Methods: The National Trauma Database was analyzed between 2016 and 2017. The inclusion criteria were all patients ≥65 years old with rib fractures. We further stratified these patients according to age (65-79 vs. ≥80 years old), the presence of coding for flail chest, three or more rib fractures, and intervention (surgical vs. nonoperative management). The main outcomes were surgical interventions, mortality, pneumonia, length of stay, intensive care unit length of stay, ventilator use, and tracheostomy. Results: Overall, 93,638 patients were identified. SSRF was performed in 992 patients. Patients who underwent SSRF had improved mortality in the 65 to 79 age group, regardless of the number of ribs fractured. We identified 92,637 patients in the age group of 65 to 79 years old who did not undergo SSRF. This represents an additional 20,000 patients annually who may benefit from SSRF. Conclusions: By conservative standards and the well-established Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma clinical practice guidelines, SSRF is underutilized. Our data suggest that SSRF may be very beneficial for the geriatric population, specifically those aged 65 to 79 years with any rib fractures. We hypothesize that roughly 20,000 additional cases will meet the inclusion criteria for SSRF each year. It is therefore imperative that we train acute care surgeons in this skill set.